EP3454460B1 - Pole piece for a torque motor - Google Patents
Pole piece for a torque motor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3454460B1 EP3454460B1 EP17461600.3A EP17461600A EP3454460B1 EP 3454460 B1 EP3454460 B1 EP 3454460B1 EP 17461600 A EP17461600 A EP 17461600A EP 3454460 B1 EP3454460 B1 EP 3454460B1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- section
- abutment
- torque motor
- lines
- piece
- Prior art date
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- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims description 26
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000696 magnetic material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009760 electrical discharge machining Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004907 flux Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
- H01F7/00—Magnets
- H01F7/06—Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets
- H01F7/08—Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets with armatures
- H01F7/14—Pivoting armatures
- H01F7/145—Rotary electromagnets with variable gap
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K26/00—Machines adapted to function as torque motors, i.e. to exert a torque when stalled
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02K—DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
- H02K21/00—Synchronous motors having permanent magnets; Synchronous generators having permanent magnets
- H02K21/12—Synchronous motors having permanent magnets; Synchronous generators having permanent magnets with stationary armatures and rotating magnets
- H02K21/14—Synchronous motors having permanent magnets; Synchronous generators having permanent magnets with stationary armatures and rotating magnets with magnets rotating within the armatures
- H02K21/145—Synchronous motors having permanent magnets; Synchronous generators having permanent magnets with stationary armatures and rotating magnets with magnets rotating within the armatures having an annular armature coil
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates generally to a pole piece for a torque motor, and more generally to a torque motor incorporating the pole piece and methods of manufacturing a pole piece for a torque motor.
- Torque motors are known in the art and are configured to produce a torque in order to rotate or move a shaft (e.g., a jet pipe) so as to operate a valve, for example a valve used in a direct drive or pneumatic field, such as an electrohydraulic servo-valve.
- a shaft e.g., a jet pipe
- a valve for example a valve used in a direct drive or pneumatic field, such as an electrohydraulic servo-valve.
- FIG. 1A An example of a torque motor 10 is shown in Fig. 1A (which is provided for illustrative purposes only), and comprises a lower pole piece 12 and an upper pole piece 14, two sets of coils 16, an armature 18 that is pivotally located within the structure of the torque motor 10.
- the pivoting armature 18 is connected to a shaft 20, a lower end of which (not shown) is configured to move (e.g., left and right) upon rotation of the armature 18.
- the movement of the lower end of the shaft 20 e.g., jet pipe
- the components that are used to create the magnetic field around the armature 18 must be manufactured to a high precision, and such that the clearances between the various magnetic parts (e.g., the lower and upper pole pieces 12, 14, the coils 16 and the armature 18) are as small as possible.
- the lower pole piece 12 may be opened or divided into two separate parts 12a, 12b, and an additional part 13, called a magnetic shunt, may be used to connect the separate parts 12a, 12b of the lower pole piece 12 when assembling the torque motor 10.
- the geometrical features associated with the connections between the separate parts 12a, 12b of the lower pole piece 12 and the magnetic shunt 13 have to be manufactured with a high precision, but also to allow for the change of the material properties caused by stresses in use. This means, for example, that an interference or press fit may not be used due to potential changes of the material properties; therefore, even with high precision methods that use tight tolerances, there will typically be gaps present between these parts.
- a setting shim 11 may be provided in order to connect the various parts of the torque motor 10 to a housing 22.
- a component 23 may be provided that forms a combined magnetic shunt and setting shim. In this embodiment, the same issues may occur, in that the various components must be manufactured with tight tolerances, but may not be provided with an interference or press fit.
- US 6,344,702 B1 discloses a torque motor arrangement with a two-part lower pole piece.
- first section and the second section are formed separate from each other, such that they are two separate pieces.
- first section may be configured to be brought into abutment or contact with the second section.
- One or more abutment surfaces of the first section are each configured to abut one or more complementary abutment surfaces of the second section when the first section abuts the second section, so as to form the one or more lines of abutment in an outer (e.g., upper or lower) surface of the pole piece.
- the complementary abutment surfaces may be "mirror images" of each other.
- each line of abutment may be substantially the same.
- the first section may have substantially the same shape, layout, area, and/or volume as the second section.
- the first section may be a "mirror image" of the second section (as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 ).
- the thickness of the pole-piece, the first section and/or the second section at the lines of abutment may be constant or uniform, and/or may be less than, for example at least 5 or 10 times less than a diameter or length (e.g., a longest diameter or length) of the pole-piece.
- the lines of abutment may be located on opposite sides of the pole-piece, for example on opposed sides of a line bisecting the pole piece.
- Each line of abutment may be rotationally symmetric about a midpoint of the line of abutment.
- the midpoint of the line of abutment may be a point located half-way along the length of the line of abutment, e.g., as measured as one travels along the line of abutment from one end to the other.
- the midpoint may be defined as a point that is located substantially halfway along the line of abutment.
- the lines of abutment may have a translational symmetry with each other.
- the pole-piece may further comprise one or more raised portions, which may be configured to be located above or below an armature of the torque motor in use.
- the lines of abutment may not pass through, contact or coincide with the raised portions.
- the lines of abutment may be substantially parallel and/or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the armature.
- An abutment surface may be formed by a plurality of surface sections.
- each abutment surface may be formed by three surface sections such that the line of abutment forms a Z-shape.
- each line of abutment may be a Z-shape comprising a first section, a second section and a third section.
- the first section may run substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the armature.
- the second section may run substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the armature.
- the third section may run substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the armature.
- Each line of abutment may consist of the first, second and third sections.
- the second section may connect the first section and the third section.
- the first section may, at one end, coincide with a first edge of the pole-piece, and at an opposite end coincide with a first end of the second section.
- the third section may, at one end, coincide with a second edge of the pole-piece (opposite to the first edge) and at an opposite end coincide with a second end of the second section (opposite to the first end).
- the line of abutment at the first section and/or the second section and/or the third sections may be straight.
- Each line of abutment may be an S-shape comprising a single wavy line in the form of an "S" extending from an inner surface of the pole piece (e.g., an inner radial and/or circumferential surface) to an outer surface of the pole piece (e.g., an outer radial and/or circumferential surface).
- the single wavy line may be formed by a single abutment surface of the first section abutting a complementary abutment surface of the second section.
- the lines of abutment may be located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the armature.
- the method described above may further comprise:
- the distance may correspond to a gap between the first section and the second section.
- the gap may be formed by removing material during the cutting step.
- the features may be corresponding features that are located on both the first section and the second section.
- the features may comprise the raised portions described above, e.g., configured to be located above or below an armature of the torque motor in use.
- Figs. 2A and 2B shows an embodiment of a torque motor 100 in accordance with the present disclosure in assembled form ( Fig. 2A ) and exploded form ( Fig. 2B ).
- the torque motor 100 sits on a housing 110 that may contain various components (not shown) for operating a valve and/or controlling fluid flow of various types, as is known in the art.
- the housing 110 may comprise an upper surface or platform 112 upon which the various components of the torque motor 100 are placed, which upper surface 112 comprises an aperture 114, through which may extend a shaft 120 of the torque motor 100.
- the shaft 120 may form part of, for example, a jet pipe assembly for use in an electrohydraulic servo-valve.
- the torque motor 100 may also be used in other applications such as a flapper - nozzle structure, a direct drive valve or pneumatic valve, or the like. A detailed description of such applications, e.g., a jet pipe assembly is not provided herein, since a skilled person will have adequate knowledge of the construction and function of such applications.
- a shim 118 may be disposed upon the upper surface 112 of the housing 110 and may be used for connecting the various components of the torque motor 100 to the housing 110, and allow easy adjustment thereof.
- the shim 118 also provides desired operational characteristics and stability of the torque motor 100.
- the torque motor 100 comprises a lower pole piece 130 that is split into two separate sections or portions 132 and 134, which will be described in more detail below.
- the torque motor 100 further comprises an upper pole piece 160 that may be formed as a single piece (e.g., in contrast to the lower pole piece 130).
- the lower pole piece 130 may form a substantially annular member in use.
- the upper pole piece 160 and the lower pole piece 130 may be connected to the housing 110 through the shim 118 via fasteners 170, which are configured to fasten these components to the housing 110.
- Spacers 172 may be provided, and configured to separate the upper pole piece 160 from the lower pole piece 130 when the fasteners 170 are fastened to the housing 110.
- the fasteners 170 are configured to extend through a plurality of (e.g., four) apertures 162 in the upper pole piece 160, as well as a plurality of (e.g., four) apertures 136 in the lower pole piece 130, and a plurality of (e.g., four) apertures 119 in the shim 118.
- the torque motor 100 comprises an armature 180, which is configured to pivot or rotate in use as is known in the art.
- the armature 180 is connected to the shaft 120, such that a lower end of the shaft (not shown) may be configured to move (e.g., side-to-side) upon rotation of the armature 180. In use, the movement of the lower end of the shaft 120 may be used to operate a valve and/or control fluid flow of various types, and other applications, as discussed herein.
- the armature 180 may be cuboid and/or may comprise a longitudinal axis C (as shown in Figs. 2A and 2B ).
- armature 180 Surrounding the armature 180 are a pair of electromagnetic coils 185, which may be energised in use to cause the armature 180 to pivot or rotate to actuate the torque motor 100.
- the coils 185 are disposed so that opposite arm portions of the armature 180 extend through the coils 185. When an electrical signal is applied to the coils 185, the magnetic forces generated cause the armature 180 to pivot or rotate as aforesaid.
- Fig. 3 shows the lower pole piece 130 in isolation and comprising a first portion 132 and second portion 134.
- the lower pole piece 130 is shown immediately after it has been cut from a single piece of material.
- the first portion 132 is separated from the second portion 134 by a gap G.
- the gap G has a width A corresponding to the width of material removed from the lower pole piece 130 during cutting.
- the cutting lines 140 may be referred to as lines of abutment 140 once the two portions 132, 134 are brought into abutment or contact (e.g., in use).
- the two separate portions 132, 134 may not be formed by cutting, but may be manufactured from separate pieces of material.
- One or more abutment surfaces 137 of the first portion 132 and one or more abutment surfaces 139 of the second portion 134 may be formed, e.g., by the cutting step.
- Each line of abutment 140 may correspond to a line formed on the outer (e.g., upper or lower) surface of the pole piece when an abutment surface 137 of the first portion 132 is brought into abutment with a respective or complementary abutment surface 139 of the second portion 134.
- Each line of abutment 140 may correspond to a single cut through the single piece of material.
- the pole piece is ring-shaped and comprises a radially inner circumferential surface 133 and a radially outer circumferential surface 135, wherein each abutment surface 137, 139 (and therefore each line of abutment 140) extends from the inner circumferential surface 133 to the outer circumferential surface 135.
- the abutment surfaces 137, 139 (and lines of abutment 140) are configured such that the lines of abutment 140 follow or form an S- or Z- shape when the first portion 132 and the second portion 134 contact each other.
- An abutment surface 137, 139 may be formed by a plurality of surface sections.
- the abutment surface 137 may be formed by three surface sections 137a, 137b and 137c
- the abutment surface 139 may be formed by three surface sections 139a, 139b and 139c.
- a single abutment surface is defined for each of the first portion 132 and the second portion 134, due to the use of an S-shape instead of a Z-shape.
- An XY axis may be defined, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 , wherein the X direction may correspond to (e.g., be coincident or parallel with) the longitudinal axis C of the armature 180 in use, and the Y direction may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis C of the armature 180.
- the X and Y axes may intersect at a midpoint 131 of the lower pole piece 130 and may be perpendicular to each other.
- Certain features of the second portion 134 may be shifted from corresponding features on the first portion 132 by a distance A that corresponds to the width A of the gap G.
- the distance A may be the distance that the second section 134 will need to move to contact the first section 132 after the cutting step, and may be calculated or determined prior to cutting. This distance is calculated so that, upon moving the second portion 134 into contact with the first portion 132 (as shown in Fig. 4 ), these corresponding features come into alignment.
- the apertures 136b on the second portion 134 may be shifted by a distance A from the apertures 136a located on the first portion 132 (e.g., in the Y direction), which distance A corresponds to the width A of the cutting lines 140 (e.g., in the Y direction), and the distance that the second section 134 will need to move to contact the first section 132 after the cutting step, as shown in Fig. 3 .
- the second portion 134 Upon moving the second portion 134 into contact with the first portion 132, the second portion 134 shifts by the distance A (e.g., in the X and Y directions) such that the apertures 136b of the second portion 134 come into alignment with those of the first portion 132, as shown in Fig. 4 , such that, e.g., the distance S 1 separating the apertures 136a, 136b (e.g., in the Y direction) is zero.
- the distance A e.g., in the X and Y directions
- the lower pole piece 130 may also comprise raised portions 138 located at opposite ends of the lower pole piece 130, and configured to be located below the axial ends of the armature 180 in use. As shown in Fig. 3 , the raised portion 138 of the second portion 134 of the lower pole piece 130 may be offset from the raised portion 138 of the first portion 132 of the lower pole piece 130 by the distance A (e.g., in the Y direction), before the lower pole piece 130 is cut from a single piece of material.
- the raised portion 138 of the second portion 134 Upon moving the second portion 134 into contact with the first portion 132, the raised portion 138 of the second portion 134 will shift by the distance A (e.g., in the Y direction) such that the raised portion 138 of the second portion 134 becomes aligned with that of the first portion 132, such that, e.g., the distance S 2 separating the raised portions 138 (e.g., in the Y direction) is zero.
- the apertures 136b of the second portion 134 may be located a distance D 1 from the apertures 136a of the first portion 132 (e.g., in the X direction), and the distance D 1 may be equal to a first distance d+A.
- the apertures 136b of the second portion 134 may be located a distance D 2 from the apertures 136a of the first portion 132 (e.g., in the X direction), and the distance D 2 may be equal to a second distance d, which is equal to the first distance minus the width A of the cutting lines 140.
- the lines of abutment 140 may be orientated parallel or perpendicular to the X and Y axes (e.g., the longitudinal axis C of the armature 180 in use), as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 .
- the lines of abutment 140 may be parallel to one or other of the X and Y axes throughout their entire length. This may provide an optimum transfer of magnetic flux through the lower pole piece 130, whilst providing a simple method of manufacture, and positioning of the features of the lower pole piece 130 on the single piece of material prior to cutting. That is, the gap G created during the cutting may be taken into account when manufacturing the original single piece of material from which the lower pole piece 130 is formed.
- the lines of abutment 140 may be termed lines of contact, to indicate that, although the first section 132 and the second section 134 may abut along this line, they may also be in contact along the line.
- abutment 140 is shown as being parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis C of the armature 180, various embodiments are contemplated in which the lines of abutment 140 may be slightly different, for example an S-shape, whilst still providing technical effects not achieved by conventional arrangements.
- Such an embodiment is shown in Fig. 6 , in which like reference numerals indicate similar features as shown and described in respect of Fig. 4 .
- each line of abutment 140 may be substantially the same on either side of the lower pole piece 130 (e.g., on either side of the X axis).
- Each line of abutment 140 may, additionally or alternatively, be rotationally symmetric about a midpoint 142 of the line of abutment 140, the midpoint 142 being defined as a point that is located substantially halfway along the line of abutment 140 (e.g., when moving or travelling along the line of abutment 140 from one end to the other).
- the midpoint 142 may coincide with the Y axis.
- the lines of abutment 140 may have translational symmetry with each other.
- the lines of abutment 140 may also comprise a number of distinct sections, e.g., corresponding to the different surface sections of the abutment surfaces, wherein the sections may be at 90 degree angles with respect to each other, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 .
- the lower pole piece 130 may be made by a precise cutting method, for example using electrical discharge machining ("EDM”), waterjet or abrasive cutting (e.g., with an abrasive substance contained within a jet of water) from a single piece of material. As described above, and to ensure proper geometry of the lower pole piece 130 after cutting, the features located on one portion of the lower pole piece 130 may be shifted from those of the other portion of the lower pole piece 130 by the width of the cut (see distance A in Figs. 3 and 4 ).
- EDM electrical discharge machining
- waterjet or abrasive cutting e.g., with an abrasive substance contained within a jet of water
- Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the lower pole piece 130, and in an exploded form, from which the shape of the lines of abutment 140 can be seen in detail.
- the apertures 136 and raised portions 138 of the lower pole piece 130 align with each other to form a symmetric piece formed by the combination of the first and second portions 132, 134.
- Fig. 5 also shows the surface sections 137a-c, 139a-c that form each respective abutment surface 137, 139 of the first and second portions 132, 134, respectively.
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Description
- The present disclosure relates generally to a pole piece for a torque motor, and more generally to a torque motor incorporating the pole piece and methods of manufacturing a pole piece for a torque motor.
- Torque motors are known in the art and are configured to produce a torque in order to rotate or move a shaft (e.g., a jet pipe) so as to operate a valve, for example a valve used in a direct drive or pneumatic field, such as an electrohydraulic servo-valve.
- An example of a
torque motor 10 is shown inFig. 1A (which is provided for illustrative purposes only), and comprises alower pole piece 12 and anupper pole piece 14, two sets ofcoils 16, anarmature 18 that is pivotally located within the structure of thetorque motor 10. Thepivoting armature 18 is connected to ashaft 20, a lower end of which (not shown) is configured to move (e.g., left and right) upon rotation of thearmature 18. In use, the movement of the lower end of the shaft 20 (e.g., jet pipe) may be used to operate a valve and/or control fluid flow of various types, and other applications as well. - To ensure high performance of the
torque motor 10, the components that are used to create the magnetic field around thearmature 18 must be manufactured to a high precision, and such that the clearances between the various magnetic parts (e.g., the lower andupper pole pieces coils 16 and the armature 18) are as small as possible. - To assemble the
torque motor 10, thelower pole piece 12 may be opened or divided into twoseparate parts additional part 13, called a magnetic shunt, may be used to connect theseparate parts lower pole piece 12 when assembling thetorque motor 10. - The geometrical features associated with the connections between the
separate parts lower pole piece 12 and themagnetic shunt 13 have to be manufactured with a high precision, but also to allow for the change of the material properties caused by stresses in use. This means, for example, that an interference or press fit may not be used due to potential changes of the material properties; therefore, even with high precision methods that use tight tolerances, there will typically be gaps present between these parts. - In the embodiment of
Fig. 1A , asetting shim 11 may be provided in order to connect the various parts of thetorque motor 10 to ahousing 22. In an alternative background embodiment, as shown inFig. 1B (also provided for illustrative purposes only), acomponent 23 may be provided that forms a combined magnetic shunt and setting shim. In this embodiment, the same issues may occur, in that the various components must be manufactured with tight tolerances, but may not be provided with an interference or press fit. -
DE 199 06 445 A1 discloses an electric motor with multi-portion pole-piece structures comprising lines of abutment. -
US 6,344,702 B1 discloses a torque motor arrangement with a two-part lower pole piece. - It is desired to provide an improved pole piece for a torque motor.
- In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a torque motor as claimed in claim 1.
- In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of manufacturing the pole-piece for the torque motor of claim 1.
- Using an S- or Z- shape for the lines of contact reduces the magnetic losses between the first section and the second section, whilst providing a secure connection between the two sections.
- In embodiments the first section and the second section are formed separate from each other, such that they are two separate pieces. In use, the first section may be configured to be brought into abutment or contact with the second section.
- One or more abutment surfaces of the first section are each configured to abut one or more complementary abutment surfaces of the second section when the first section abuts the second section, so as to form the one or more lines of abutment in an outer (e.g., upper or lower) surface of the pole piece. The complementary abutment surfaces may be "mirror images" of each other.
- There may be two lines of abutment, each located on opposed sides of the pole-piece. The shape of each line of abutment may be substantially the same. The first section may have substantially the same shape, layout, area, and/or volume as the second section. The first section may be a "mirror image" of the second section (as shown in
Figs. 3 and 4 ). The thickness of the pole-piece, the first section and/or the second section at the lines of abutment may be constant or uniform, and/or may be less than, for example at least 5 or 10 times less than a diameter or length (e.g., a longest diameter or length) of the pole-piece. - The lines of abutment may be located on opposite sides of the pole-piece, for example on opposed sides of a line bisecting the pole piece.
- Each line of abutment may be rotationally symmetric about a midpoint of the line of abutment. The midpoint of the line of abutment may be a point located half-way along the length of the line of abutment, e.g., as measured as one travels along the line of abutment from one end to the other. The midpoint may be defined as a point that is located substantially halfway along the line of abutment.
- The lines of abutment may have a translational symmetry with each other.
- The pole-piece may further comprise one or more raised portions, which may be configured to be located above or below an armature of the torque motor in use. The lines of abutment may not pass through, contact or coincide with the raised portions.
- The lines of abutment may be substantially parallel and/or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the armature.
- An abutment surface may be formed by a plurality of surface sections. For example, each abutment surface may be formed by three surface sections such that the line of abutment forms a Z-shape.
- In other words, each line of abutment may be a Z-shape comprising a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section may run substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the armature. The second section may run substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the armature. The third section may run substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the armature. Each line of abutment may consist of the first, second and third sections. The second section may connect the first section and the third section. The first section may, at one end, coincide with a first edge of the pole-piece, and at an opposite end coincide with a first end of the second section. The third section may, at one end, coincide with a second edge of the pole-piece (opposite to the first edge) and at an opposite end coincide with a second end of the second section (opposite to the first end). The line of abutment at the first section and/or the second section and/or the third sections may be straight.
- Each line of abutment may be an S-shape comprising a single wavy line in the form of an "S" extending from an inner surface of the pole piece (e.g., an inner radial and/or circumferential surface) to an outer surface of the pole piece (e.g., an outer radial and/or circumferential surface). The single wavy line may be formed by a single abutment surface of the first section abutting a complementary abutment surface of the second section.
- The lines of abutment may be located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the armature.
- The method described above may further comprise:
- calculating a distance that the second section will need to move to abutment the first section after the cutting step; and
- positioning features on the single-piece of magnetic material, prior to cutting, so that they are not aligned before the cutting, and then align after the cutting and upon moving the first section into abutment with the second section.
- The distance may correspond to a gap between the first section and the second section. The gap may be formed by removing material during the cutting step.
- The features may be corresponding features that are located on both the first section and the second section. The features may comprise the raised portions described above, e.g., configured to be located above or below an armature of the torque motor in use.
- Various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
Figs. 1A and 1B show conventional arrangements of a torque motor and pole piece for illustrative purposes only; -
Figs. 2A and2B shows an embodiment of a torque motor in accordance with the present disclosure; -
Fig. 3 shows the pole piece of the embodiment ofFig. 2A after being cut and during manufacture of the pole piece; -
Fig. 4 shows the pole piece of the embodiment ofFig. 2A when the two portions thereof are pushed together; -
Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the pole piece of the embodiment ofFig. 2A ; and -
Fig. 6 shows a pole piece according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. -
Figs. 2A and2B shows an embodiment of atorque motor 100 in accordance with the present disclosure in assembled form (Fig. 2A ) and exploded form (Fig. 2B ). - The
torque motor 100 sits on ahousing 110 that may contain various components (not shown) for operating a valve and/or controlling fluid flow of various types, as is known in the art. Thehousing 110 may comprise an upper surface orplatform 112 upon which the various components of thetorque motor 100 are placed, whichupper surface 112 comprises anaperture 114, through which may extend ashaft 120 of thetorque motor 100. Theshaft 120 may form part of, for example, a jet pipe assembly for use in an electrohydraulic servo-valve. Thetorque motor 100 may also be used in other applications such as a flapper - nozzle structure, a direct drive valve or pneumatic valve, or the like. A detailed description of such applications, e.g., a jet pipe assembly is not provided herein, since a skilled person will have adequate knowledge of the construction and function of such applications. - A
shim 118 may be disposed upon theupper surface 112 of thehousing 110 and may be used for connecting the various components of thetorque motor 100 to thehousing 110, and allow easy adjustment thereof. Theshim 118 also provides desired operational characteristics and stability of thetorque motor 100. - The
torque motor 100 comprises alower pole piece 130 that is split into two separate sections orportions torque motor 100 further comprises anupper pole piece 160 that may be formed as a single piece (e.g., in contrast to the lower pole piece 130). Thelower pole piece 130 may form a substantially annular member in use. - The
upper pole piece 160 and thelower pole piece 130 may be connected to thehousing 110 through theshim 118 viafasteners 170, which are configured to fasten these components to thehousing 110.Spacers 172 may be provided, and configured to separate theupper pole piece 160 from thelower pole piece 130 when thefasteners 170 are fastened to thehousing 110. Thefasteners 170 are configured to extend through a plurality of (e.g., four)apertures 162 in theupper pole piece 160, as well as a plurality of (e.g., four)apertures 136 in thelower pole piece 130, and a plurality of (e.g., four)apertures 119 in theshim 118. - The
torque motor 100 comprises anarmature 180, which is configured to pivot or rotate in use as is known in the art. Thearmature 180 is connected to theshaft 120, such that a lower end of the shaft (not shown) may be configured to move (e.g., side-to-side) upon rotation of thearmature 180. In use, the movement of the lower end of theshaft 120 may be used to operate a valve and/or control fluid flow of various types, and other applications, as discussed herein. Thearmature 180 may be cuboid and/or may comprise a longitudinal axis C (as shown inFigs. 2A and2B ). - Surrounding the
armature 180 are a pair ofelectromagnetic coils 185, which may be energised in use to cause thearmature 180 to pivot or rotate to actuate thetorque motor 100. Thecoils 185 are disposed so that opposite arm portions of thearmature 180 extend through thecoils 185. When an electrical signal is applied to thecoils 185, the magnetic forces generated cause thearmature 180 to pivot or rotate as aforesaid. -
Fig. 3 shows thelower pole piece 130 in isolation and comprising afirst portion 132 andsecond portion 134. InFig. 3 , thelower pole piece 130 is shown immediately after it has been cut from a single piece of material. As is evident, after cutting, thefirst portion 132 is separated from thesecond portion 134 by a gap G. The gap G has a width A corresponding to the width of material removed from thelower pole piece 130 during cutting. - The cutting lines 140 may be referred to as lines of
abutment 140 once the twoportions separate portions - One or more abutment surfaces 137 of the
first portion 132 and one or more abutment surfaces 139 of thesecond portion 134 may be formed, e.g., by the cutting step. Each line ofabutment 140 may correspond to a line formed on the outer (e.g., upper or lower) surface of the pole piece when anabutment surface 137 of thefirst portion 132 is brought into abutment with a respective orcomplementary abutment surface 139 of thesecond portion 134. - Each line of
abutment 140 may correspond to a single cut through the single piece of material. - The pole piece is ring-shaped and comprises a radially inner
circumferential surface 133 and a radially outercircumferential surface 135, wherein eachabutment surface 137, 139 (and therefore each line of abutment 140) extends from the innercircumferential surface 133 to the outercircumferential surface 135. As described herein, the abutment surfaces 137, 139 (and lines of abutment 140) are configured such that the lines ofabutment 140 follow or form an S- or Z- shape when thefirst portion 132 and thesecond portion 134 contact each other. - An
abutment surface Fig. 5 , theabutment surface 137 may be formed by threesurface sections abutment surface 139 may be formed by threesurface sections Fig. 6 , a single abutment surface is defined for each of thefirst portion 132 and thesecond portion 134, due to the use of an S-shape instead of a Z-shape. - An XY axis may be defined, as shown in
Figs. 3 and 4 , wherein the X direction may correspond to (e.g., be coincident or parallel with) the longitudinal axis C of thearmature 180 in use, and the Y direction may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis C of thearmature 180. The X and Y axes may intersect at amidpoint 131 of thelower pole piece 130 and may be perpendicular to each other. - Certain features of the
second portion 134 may be shifted from corresponding features on thefirst portion 132 by a distance A that corresponds to the width A of the gap G. The distance A may be the distance that thesecond section 134 will need to move to contact thefirst section 132 after the cutting step, and may be calculated or determined prior to cutting. This distance is calculated so that, upon moving thesecond portion 134 into contact with the first portion 132 (as shown inFig. 4 ), these corresponding features come into alignment. - For example, the
apertures 136b on thesecond portion 134 may be shifted by a distance A from theapertures 136a located on the first portion 132 (e.g., in the Y direction), which distance A corresponds to the width A of the cutting lines 140 (e.g., in the Y direction), and the distance that thesecond section 134 will need to move to contact thefirst section 132 after the cutting step, as shown inFig. 3 . - Upon moving the
second portion 134 into contact with thefirst portion 132, thesecond portion 134 shifts by the distance A (e.g., in the X and Y directions) such that theapertures 136b of thesecond portion 134 come into alignment with those of thefirst portion 132, as shown inFig. 4 , such that, e.g., the distance S1 separating theapertures - The
lower pole piece 130 may also comprise raisedportions 138 located at opposite ends of thelower pole piece 130, and configured to be located below the axial ends of thearmature 180 in use. As shown inFig. 3 , the raisedportion 138 of thesecond portion 134 of thelower pole piece 130 may be offset from the raisedportion 138 of thefirst portion 132 of thelower pole piece 130 by the distance A (e.g., in the Y direction), before thelower pole piece 130 is cut from a single piece of material. - Upon moving the
second portion 134 into contact with thefirst portion 132, the raisedportion 138 of thesecond portion 134 will shift by the distance A (e.g., in the Y direction) such that the raisedportion 138 of thesecond portion 134 becomes aligned with that of thefirst portion 132, such that, e.g., the distance S2 separating the raised portions 138 (e.g., in the Y direction) is zero. - Before the
lower pole piece 130 is cut from the single piece of material, as shown inFig. 3 , theapertures 136b of thesecond portion 134 may be located a distance D1 from theapertures 136a of the first portion 132 (e.g., in the X direction), and the distance D1 may be equal to a first distance d+A. - Once the
second portion 134 has been moved into contact with thefirst portion 132, as shown inFig. 4 , theapertures 136b of thesecond portion 134 may be located a distance D2 from theapertures 136a of the first portion 132 (e.g., in the X direction), and the distance D2 may be equal to a second distance d, which is equal to the first distance minus the width A of the cutting lines 140. - The lines of
abutment 140 may be orientated parallel or perpendicular to the X and Y axes (e.g., the longitudinal axis C of thearmature 180 in use), as shown inFigs. 3 and 4 . For example, the lines ofabutment 140 may be parallel to one or other of the X and Y axes throughout their entire length. This may provide an optimum transfer of magnetic flux through thelower pole piece 130, whilst providing a simple method of manufacture, and positioning of the features of thelower pole piece 130 on the single piece of material prior to cutting. That is, the gap G created during the cutting may be taken into account when manufacturing the original single piece of material from which thelower pole piece 130 is formed. - The lines of
abutment 140 may be termed lines of contact, to indicate that, although thefirst section 132 and thesecond section 134 may abut along this line, they may also be in contact along the line. - Although the lines of
abutment 140 are shown as being parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis C of thearmature 180, various embodiments are contemplated in which the lines ofabutment 140 may be slightly different, for example an S-shape, whilst still providing technical effects not achieved by conventional arrangements. Such an embodiment is shown inFig. 6 , in which like reference numerals indicate similar features as shown and described in respect ofFig. 4 . - For example, the shape of each line of
abutment 140 may be substantially the same on either side of the lower pole piece 130 (e.g., on either side of the X axis). Each line ofabutment 140 may, additionally or alternatively, be rotationally symmetric about amidpoint 142 of the line ofabutment 140, themidpoint 142 being defined as a point that is located substantially halfway along the line of abutment 140 (e.g., when moving or travelling along the line ofabutment 140 from one end to the other). Themidpoint 142 may coincide with the Y axis. - The lines of
abutment 140 may have translational symmetry with each other. The lines ofabutment 140 may also comprise a number of distinct sections, e.g., corresponding to the different surface sections of the abutment surfaces, wherein the sections may be at 90 degree angles with respect to each other, as shown inFigs. 3 and 4 . - The
lower pole piece 130 may be made by a precise cutting method, for example using electrical discharge machining ("EDM"), waterjet or abrasive cutting (e.g., with an abrasive substance contained within a jet of water) from a single piece of material. As described above, and to ensure proper geometry of thelower pole piece 130 after cutting, the features located on one portion of thelower pole piece 130 may be shifted from those of the other portion of thelower pole piece 130 by the width of the cut (see distance A inFigs. 3 and 4 ). - Technical effects of the embodiments disclosed herein include an improved performance of the torque motor by reduction of magnetic losses created by separating the
lower pole piece 130 into two portions, for example by using an S- or Z- shape line of abutment. It has been found that magnetic shunts are not needed when using the technology of the present disclosure, which reduces the risk of magnetic saturation and further reduces magnetic losses. This also reduces the cost of thelower pole piece 130, since a magnetic shunt is not required to be manufactured. The method of manufacturing a lower pole piece in accordance with the embodiments described above is also repeatable in a reliable manner. -
Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of thelower pole piece 130, and in an exploded form, from which the shape of the lines ofabutment 140 can be seen in detail. As will be appreciated, upon connecting the first andsecond portions lower pole piece 130 together, theapertures 136 and raisedportions 138 of thelower pole piece 130 align with each other to form a symmetric piece formed by the combination of the first andsecond portions Fig. 5 also shows thesurface sections 137a-c, 139a-c that form eachrespective abutment surface second portions - Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.
Claims (14)
- A torque motor (100), comprising:a lower pole-piece (130);an upper pole-piece (160);an armature (180);a shaft (120); anda pair of magnetic coils (185);the armature (180) having a longitudinal axis (C) and being configured to pivot or rotate;wherein the pair of magnetic coils (185) surround the armature (180); andwherein one of the upper and lower pole-pieces (130) is ring-shaped, comprising a radially inner circumferential surface (133) and a radially outer circumferential surface (135),wherein the one of the upper and lower pole pieces (130) further comprises a first section (132) formed separate from a second section (134), wherein the first section (132) and the second section (134) are configured to abut each other to form one or more lines of abutment (140) on an outer surface thereof, wherein each line of abutment (140) extends from the inner circumferential surface (133) to the outer circumferential surface (135),
and wherein each line of abutment (140) follows an S- or Z- shape when the first section (132) abuts the second section (134). - A torque motor as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more abutment surfaces (137) of the first section (132) are each configured to abut one or more complementary abutment surfaces (139) of the second section (134) when the first section (132,132') abuts the second section (134,134'), so as to form the one or more lines of abutment (140) in an outer surface of the pole piece (130,130').
- A torque motor as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the lines of abutment (140) are located on opposite sides of the pole-piece (130).
- A torque motor as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each line of abutment (140) is rotationally symmetric about a midpoint (142) of the line of abutment (140).
- A torque motor as claimed in claim 4, wherein the midpoint (142) is defined as a point that is located substantially halfway along the length of the line of abutment (140).
- A torque motor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lines of abutment (140) have a translational symmetry with each other.
- A torque motor as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising one or more raised portions (138), wherein the lines of abutment (140) do not pass through the raised portions (138).
- A torque motor as claimed in claim 7, wherein the raised portions (138) are configured to be located above or below an armature (180) of the torque motor (100) in use.
- A torque motor (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lines of abutment (140) follow a z-shape and the lines of abutment (140) are parallel and/or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (C) of the armature (180).
- A torque motor (100) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lines of abutment (140) are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis (C) of the armature (180).
- A method of manufacturing the pole-piece (130) for the torque motor (100) of claim 1, the method comprising:providing a single-piece of magnetic material; andcutting the single-piece of magnetic material along one or more lines (140) in an outer surface thereof to form a first section (132) separate from a second section (134), wherein the lines (140) follow an S- or Z- shape.
- A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:calculating a distance (A) that the second section (134) will need to move to contact the first section (132) after the cutting step; andpositioning features (136,138) on the single-piece of magnetic material, prior to cutting, so that they are not aligned before the cutting, and then align after the cutting and upon moving the first section (132) into contact with the second section (134).
- A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the distance (A) corresponds to a gap (G) between the first section (132) and the second section (134), wherein the gap (G) is formed by removing material during the cutting step.
- A method as claimed in claim 12 and 13, wherein the features (136,138) are corresponding features that are located on both the first section (132) and the second section (134).
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP17461600.3A EP3454460B1 (en) | 2017-09-08 | 2017-09-08 | Pole piece for a torque motor |
US16/124,828 US11049637B2 (en) | 2017-09-08 | 2018-09-07 | Pole piece for a torque motor |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP17461600.3A EP3454460B1 (en) | 2017-09-08 | 2017-09-08 | Pole piece for a torque motor |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3454460A1 EP3454460A1 (en) | 2019-03-13 |
EP3454460B1 true EP3454460B1 (en) | 2021-04-21 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
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EP17461600.3A Active EP3454460B1 (en) | 2017-09-08 | 2017-09-08 | Pole piece for a torque motor |
Country Status (2)
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US (1) | US11049637B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3454460B1 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20040041492A1 (en) * | 2002-08-27 | 2004-03-04 | Katsuji Ishikawa | Stator core of torque motor |
EP2922071A1 (en) * | 2014-03-19 | 2015-09-23 | Goodrich Actuation Systems SAS | Servo valve torque motor |
Family Cites Families (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US2962611A (en) * | 1958-08-18 | 1960-11-29 | Raymond Atchley Inc | Electromagnetic actuator |
US3437101A (en) * | 1966-03-01 | 1969-04-08 | Abex Corp | Servovalve construction |
US3434083A (en) | 1967-03-06 | 1969-03-18 | Bendix Corp | Electric torque motor with adjustable slotted pole pieces |
US3447111A (en) * | 1967-08-25 | 1969-05-27 | Abex Corp | Servovalve construction |
US3473547A (en) * | 1967-09-15 | 1969-10-21 | Abex Corp | Electromechanical driver for hydraulic valve and the like |
US3556150A (en) * | 1969-05-12 | 1971-01-19 | Borg Warner | Electro hydraulic servovalve |
US3612103A (en) * | 1969-07-01 | 1971-10-12 | Moog Inc | Deflectable free jetstream-type two-stage servo valve |
US4403204A (en) * | 1982-01-15 | 1983-09-06 | Trw Inc. | Torque motor |
US5004940A (en) | 1987-09-21 | 1991-04-02 | Pneumo Abex Corporation | Direct drive valve force motor with gain shaping provision |
IT219732Z2 (en) | 1990-06-13 | 1993-04-28 | Robotica Srl | TORQUE MOTOR WITH ROTORIC POLAR EXPANSIONS. |
US5283492A (en) * | 1992-04-20 | 1994-02-01 | Mason Elmer B | Multiple magnetic pole DC motors |
US5679989A (en) * | 1995-02-15 | 1997-10-21 | J. H. Buscher, Inc. | Torque motors with enhanced reliability |
DE19906445A1 (en) * | 1999-02-16 | 2000-08-31 | Schuster Heinz Peter | Electric motor arrangement for rotating a shaft e.g. for vehicle valve control, has pivot arm on shaft, and magnetic circuit containing magnets of two types, at least one of which is an electromagnet |
US6344702B1 (en) * | 2000-06-13 | 2002-02-05 | Hr Textron, Inc. | Simplified torque motor |
JP2007040316A (en) * | 2005-07-29 | 2007-02-15 | Smc Corp | Annular magnet and fluid pressure cylinder using the same |
EP2985894A1 (en) * | 2014-08-12 | 2016-02-17 | HS Wroclaw Sp. z o.o. | Magnetic armature |
EP3454456B1 (en) * | 2017-09-08 | 2021-03-10 | Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation | Pole piece for a torque motor |
-
2017
- 2017-09-08 EP EP17461600.3A patent/EP3454460B1/en active Active
-
2018
- 2018-09-07 US US16/124,828 patent/US11049637B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040041492A1 (en) * | 2002-08-27 | 2004-03-04 | Katsuji Ishikawa | Stator core of torque motor |
EP2922071A1 (en) * | 2014-03-19 | 2015-09-23 | Goodrich Actuation Systems SAS | Servo valve torque motor |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US20190080832A1 (en) | 2019-03-14 |
EP3454460A1 (en) | 2019-03-13 |
US11049637B2 (en) | 2021-06-29 |
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